10DLC FAQs

10DLC (a.k.a., 10-digit long code), is a phrase that’s been popping up everywhere recently. This new method of application-to-person (A2P) messaging has taken the telecommunications industry by storm, with carriers like AT&T going so far as to migrate all long code SMS and MMS communications to new 10DLC services.

Below is a list of a frequently asked questions that can help save you time when researching this new A2P service and the requirements set forth by the federal government, mobile network operators (MNOs, a.k.a. carriers), and campaign service providers (CSPs).

Table of Contents

What is 10DLC?

10DLC is shorthand for 10-Digit Long Code, which is a form of A2P messaging that relies on local long codes to send A2P messages. 10DLC numbers are similar to text-enabled toll-free numbers but use local phone numbers instead of 800 numbers, have higher throughputs, and more.

Why is 10DLC being introduced?

New federal laws and regulations have created the need for new and improved call-authentication technology and phone number registration, a need that major carriers intend to solve with 10DLC. This was done primarily with the intention of putting a stop to the tens of millions of scam and spam robocalls placed each year in the United States.

Who do the 10DLC requirements affect?

The new 10DLC requirements will affect all businesses that use A2P messaging, no matter the size of the business or the number of messages being sent. That includes non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, charities, and every other form of non-personal messaging within North America.

Do 10DLC requirements affect person-to-person (P2P) communications too or just A2P?

No. The laws and regulations pertaining to the new 10DLC rollout do not apply to standard person-to-person messaging.

Does my business use A2P or P2P messaging?

P2P usually refers to communication between individuals and other individuals, whereas A2P refers to communication between businesses (technically, applications) and customers. If your business is texting its customers, that is A2P messaging and must be registered under the new 10DLC regulations.

What if I have a phone number that I use for P2P and A2P messaging?

A common example of this is when small business owners use their personal phones to keep in touch with customers. Personal texting from that phone would qualify as P2P messaging, whereas business texting would qualify as A2P messaging. Another example would be if you used the same phone number for intra-office communications and external communications.

If a phone is being used to send both P2P and A2P messages, you must still register it under 10DLC campaign rules regulating the relevant A2P use cases.

When will 10DLC requirements go into full effect?

10DLC services have been rolling out piece by piece since Verizon’s introduction of its version of the technology in early 2020. Since then, other carriers have followed suit. In March of 2021, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Cellular Wireless launched their own 10DLC registration programs. As time goes on, more MNOs will continue to announce their 10DLC programs.

Each carrier sets their own registration timeline. To avoid any potential fees or fines, Mongotel recommends registering your brands and campaigns as soon as possible.

What is The Campaign Registry (TCR)?

The Campaign Registry is the centralized hub for the registration of brands and campaigns with MNOs and CSPs under the new 10DLC rules. It was established to streamline the registration process and works with carriers to standardize the A2P 10DLC messaging environment.

Is registration required for 10DLC numbers?

All organizations using 10DLC for text messaging must register their numbers in a registration database like TCR. The phone number must then be linked to a brand and given a use case.

Do I still need to register my numbers if I don’t think I qualify for the registration requirements?

Regardless of the content contained in your messages, all non-mobile SMS or MMS messages you send will be considered A2P messages by the MNOs. To avoid hefty fines associated with unregistered and/or unverified messaging campaigns, you must still register those numbers.

Does toll-free SMS require registration through TCR?

The Campaign Registry only requires the registration of 10DLC numbers, not short codes or toll-free numbers. That being said, you must still complete the standard setup process for toll-free numbers in order to maintain regulatory compliance.

Do DIDs that are only set up to receive (and not to send) SMS or MMS messages need to be registered through TCR?

No. Numbers that are used exclusively for receiving inbound messages do not need to be registered with TCR. However, in order to send any outgoing messages from that DID, you will first need to register it or risk facing steep fines and non-delivery of your messages.

Can my messages be blocked if I don’t register my numbers?

Yes. Some MNOs will not allow any unregistered numbers to send A2P messages through their networks. In order to ensure that your messages are being sent successfully, you must register every number you intend to use for SMS or MMS purposes.

When will MNOs begin penalizing me for sending messages from unregistered numbers?

3/1/2022 marks the start of MNOs' plans to penalize businesses for failing to register every number they use for SMS or MMS purposes.

What if I have more than one phone number?

All phone numbers that will be used for A2P messaging must be registered. As of September 2021, there is no limit to the number of phone numbers that you can add to a brand under the new 10DLC rules. However, there is currently a limit of only one brand per EIN.

If my business is registered in another country, do I still need to register?

If you intend to send messages to or through any carrier in the United States, Canada, or any other North American country, you must register your phone number. This is true no matter where your company legally resides.

How much does it cost to register with The Campaign Registry?

There are a number of fees that might apply to your brand or campaign. Those fees are set and managed entirely by The Campaign Registry and Mongotel does not mark up those services whatsoever. So the price you pay is the price set by the regulators.

• Brand: $4 one-time fee per brand.

• Campaign (Agents and Franchises): $30 monthly recurring charge.

• Campaign (Low Volume/Class T): $1.50 monthly recurring charge.

• Campaign (Charity): $3 monthly recurring charge.

• Campaign (Emergency): $5 monthly recurring charge.

• Campaign (Sole Proprietor): $2 monthly recurring charge.

• Campaign (All Others): $10 monthly recurring charge.

How do I register a 10DLC number?

TCR has streamlined the registration process for standard brands and campaigns. For mixed use case or special use case campaigns, the registration process is a little more complicated. Generally speaking, the registration process begins with a brand.

Once you’ve registered your brand with TCR and tied it to your company’s EIN, you will be able to register 10DLC local phone numbers for A2P messaging through campaigns.

If I’m registering my numbers directly with TCR, how do I provide my brand and campaign IDs to Mongotel?

Copy your brand and campaign IDs from The Campaign Registry’s portal and send them in an email to helpdesk@mongotel.com alongside your request and your ticket number, if you have one.

What are “use cases?”

The use case selected when registering a phone number determines the reason for which messages will be sent on that phone number. A use case must be selected when registering your phone number to a campaign.

TCR also requires that, when selecting a use case for a phone number, you include one or more sample messages that demonstrate how that number fits into the selected use case. MNOs will use this information to verify the content of your messages when pre-screening your campaign.

What if I intend to use the same phone number for multiple use cases?

If you intend to use the same phone number for multiple use cases, you must select a mixed use case campaign for that phone number.

There are three kinds of A2P 10DLC campaigns: single use case campaigns, mixed use case campaigns, and special use case campaigns. Single use case campaigns allow only one use case to be attributed to a number. Mixed use case campaigns allow you to select up to five sub use cases for a single number. Special use case campaigns are unique and have their own section toward the end of this article.

How often will I need to re-register?

You will need to renew your brand’s registrations every year.

What comes next after registering a brand and campaign?

After you register your brand and any campaigns, you will need to wait for the registration body to approve or deny your application.

What is a “Brand Score?”

TCR uses an algorithm in the vetting process that analyzes your brand’s information and contributes to how MNOs will view your company. This is known as the Brand Score. If your brand is approved, TCR will automatically generate a Brand Score for it.

Carriers may use your Brand Score to determine your campaigns' throughputs (daily messaging limits).

What if my campaign is not approved?

All standard campaigns automatically pass the approval process and have no risk of not being approved. As long as you fill out the registration form correctly, your standard campaign will go through without a hitch.

Special campaigns, however, often require MNO approval.

What is a special campaign?

Special campaigns, also called special use case campaigns, are the lesser-known third kind of A2P 10DLC campaign. These use cases are reserved for “sensitive” or “critical” messaging programs and will often require the pre- or post- approval of an MNO.

Are there fees associated with 10DLC?

Each MNO is developing its own list of carrier fees. As of September 2021, 10DLC fees have only been decided by a few providers and these fees are subject to change as 10DLC continues to develop.

What do carriers charge for 10DLC messages?

Each carrier is allowed to set its own surcharge for sending and receiving 10DLC messages. See the table below for more information:

Note also that the use case chosen for your brand’s campaign can have an effect on the cost of SMS and MMS messages sent to certain carriers. For example, qualifying messages sent by campaigns to T-Mobile through a 501c3 charitable organization, K-12 education, or emergency special use case will be free.

What is AT&T’s “Cost Recovery Fee?”

AT&T has added a Cost Recovery Fee to all 10DLC campaigns. This fee will cost $0.01 per registered number per month but will not apply to any numbers that are not SMS-enabled. This is to cover various government-imposed fees that AT&T is required to pay.

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